The location of the Astrophysics Research Institute is marked in blue and the provisional Gaia 2015 venue is marked in red.

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The Gaia Workshop 2015 venue is marked in <font color="#db4436">red</font>. The Astrophysics Research Institute is on the 2<sup>nd</sup> floor of the building marked in <font color="#3f5ba9">blue</font>.

To view in more detail goto [https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=zVrgtauZeDS8.kzCze7erzmOs Google maps].

To view in more detail goto [https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=zVrgtauZeDS8.kzCze7erzmOs Google maps].

Although here is no rail link at the airport there are frequent bus services to [http://www.merseyrail.org/plan-your-journey/stations/liverpool-south-parkway.aspx Liverpool South Parkway] railway station, which is 10km from the city centre.

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Although there is no rail link at the airport there are frequent bus services to [http://www.merseyrail.org/plan-your-journey/stations/liverpool-south-parkway.aspx Liverpool South Parkway] railway station, which is 10km from the city centre.

<br>Liverpool South Parkway is a double railway station providing two separate rail routes into Liverpool Lime Street or Liverpool Central stations, which are in the city centre.

<br>Liverpool South Parkway is a double railway station providing two separate rail routes into Liverpool Lime Street or Liverpool Central stations, which are in the city centre.

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After 9:30am a [http://www.merseytravel.gov.uk/Tickets/compare-tickets/Pages/Saveaway.aspx SaveAway] combined bus/train ticket can be purchased at the Information Desk on the lower level of the airport.

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After 9:30am a [http://www.merseytravel.gov.uk/Tickets/compare-tickets/Pages/Saveaway.aspx SaveAway] combined bus+train ticket can be purchased at the Information Desk on the lower level of the airport.

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<br>A SaveAway ticket including [http://www.merseytravel.gov.uk/Tickets/smartsaveaway/Pages/Area-Map.aspx Zones A,B,C & D] suitable for travel to destinations in the city of Liverpool costs £3.90.

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<br>A SaveAway ticket including [http://www.merseytravel.gov.uk/Tickets/smartsaveaway/Pages/Area-Map.aspx Zones A,B,C & D] is suitable for a single journey to destinations in the city of Liverpool and costs £3.90.

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The [https://www.arrivabus.co.uk/north-west/journey-planner/ Arriva] bus services from the airport direct to Liverpool are [https://www.arrivabus.co.uk/north-west/services/500---liverpool-john-lennon-airport-to-liverpool/?direction=inbound 500], [https://www.arrivabus.co.uk/north-west/services/80-80a---liverpool-john-lennon-airport--speke-to-liverpool/?direction=inbound 80A], and [https://www.arrivabus.co.uk/north-west/services/86-86a-86d---liverpool-john-lennon-airport--garston-to-liverpool/?direction=inbound 86A], click on numbers to view routes and stops.

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The [https://www.arrivabus.co.uk/north-west/journey-planner/ Arriva] bus services from the airport direct to Liverpool are [https://www.arrivabus.co.uk/north-west/services/500---liverpool-john-lennon-airport-to-liverpool/?direction=inbound 500], [https://www.arrivabus.co.uk/north-west/services/80-80a---liverpool-john-lennon-airport--speke-to-liverpool/?direction=inbound 80A], and [https://www.arrivabus.co.uk/north-west/services/86-86a-86d---liverpool-john-lennon-airport--garston-to-liverpool/?direction=inbound 86A], click on numbers to view routes and stops. These buses terminate at the [https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/Liverpool+One+Bus+Station/@53.4017983,-2.9890373,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m2!3m1!1s0x487b212ecd2ebf57:0xb22b799b8e7f07c1 Liverpool One bus station].

<br>Services [https://www.arrivabus.co.uk/north-west/services/80-80a---liverpool-john-lennon-airport--speke-to-liverpool/?direction=inbound 80A] and [https://www.arrivabus.co.uk/north-west/services/86-86a-86d---liverpool-john-lennon-airport--garston-to-liverpool/?direction=inbound 86A] go via Liverpool South Parkway railway station if you wish to travel into Liverpool city by train.

<br>The journey time into Liverpool by bus/train is approximately 25-45 minutes.

<br>The journey time into Liverpool by bus/train is approximately 25-45 minutes.

Line 44:

Line 51:

==== MAN - Manchester Airport ====

==== MAN - Manchester Airport ====

* [http://www.manchesterairport.co.uk/ Manchester Airport] is located 57km from Liverpool city centre.

* [http://www.manchesterairport.co.uk/ Manchester Airport] is located 57km from Liverpool city centre.

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This airport is larger than Liverpool so a greater number of [http://www.manchesterairport.co.uk/flight-information/flight-operators/ airlines] fly to this destination.

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This airport is larger than Liverpool's so a greater number of [http://www.manchesterairport.co.uk/flight-information/flight-operators/ airlines] fly to this destination.

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The rail link at this airport is Manchester Airport [MIA] station. Trains operated by [http://www.northernrail.org/journey/planner Northern Rail] go direct to Liverpool Lime Street station every hour, [http://www.northernrail.org/pdfs/timetables/20150517/15.pdf see Timetable].

An alternative train route is from the airport station to Manchester Piccadilly [MAN] station and changing there for a train to Liverpool Lime Street [LIV].

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An alternative train route is from the airport station to Manchester Piccadilly [MAN] station and change there for trains to Liverpool Lime Street [LIV].

<br>Several train companies operate this alternative route. The journey time is approximately 1.5 hours.

<br>Several train companies operate this alternative route. The journey time is approximately 1.5 hours.

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<br>Refer to [http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/ National Rail Enquiries] for train times. It accepts three letter abbreviation [TLA] station names.

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<br>Refer to [http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/ National Rail Enquiries] for train times. You can enter the three letter abbreviated [TLA] railway station IDs as shown.

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A taxi from Manchester airport to Liverpool city centre costs around £60

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A taxi from Manchester airport to Liverpool city centre costs around £60. Journey is normally about 1 hour but will be longer if travelling during the rush hour.

== [[File:icon_train.png | 32px | middle ]] Rail Travel ==

== [[File:icon_train.png | 32px | middle ]] Rail Travel ==

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* [http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/stations_destinations/liv.aspx Liverpool Lime Street ] [LIV] is the main railway station located in the city.

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There are a few trains direct from [http://www.networkrail.co.uk/london-euston-station/departures-arrivals/ London Euston] [EUS] but most require a change at Crewe [CRE] station.

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<br>The quickest trains from London Euston to Liverpool Lime Street are operated by [http://www.virgintrains.co.uk/ Virgin Trains], the journey takes approximately 2.5 hours.

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Travelling [http://www.virgintrains.co.uk/assets/pdf/announcements/offpeak-and-superoffpeak-restrictions-2014.pdf Off-Peak] between 09:27 &rarr; 15:00 and after 18:45 is much cheaper.

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The cheapest tickets are [http://www.virgintrains.co.uk/tickets-offers/ticket-types/ Advance] booking and can be purchased online up to 12 weeks prior to travel but are limited in availability and only valid for travel on the booked train. Tickets can be collected at the station but you must have the original credit/debit card used when purchasing.

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[http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/ National Rail Enquiries] is useful for planning rail travel with all UK train companies and for checking on delays or cancellations.

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<br>[http://www.thetrainline.com/farefinder/ The Trainline.com] is a search engine for finding low cost tickets.

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=== In Liverpool ===

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* [http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/stations_destinations/liv.aspx Liverpool Lime Street ] [LIV] is the main railway station destination located in the city.

* Liverpool Central [LVC] station located in the city and is a local commuter destination for [http://www.merseyrail.org/ Merseyrail] trains.

* Liverpool Central [LVC] station located in the city and is a local commuter destination for [http://www.merseyrail.org/ Merseyrail] trains.

* Liverpool South Parkway [LPY] station is located 10km from the city and 4.5km from Liverpool John Lennon Airport.

* Liverpool South Parkway [LPY] station is located 10km from the city and 4.5km from Liverpool John Lennon Airport.

Line 69:

Line 76:

The stations in and around the city can be view on [http://www.merseyrail.org/_common/map/networkmap.htm this map].

The stations in and around the city can be view on [http://www.merseyrail.org/_common/map/networkmap.htm this map].

There are a few trains direct but most require changing at Crewe [CRE] station.

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[http://www.virgintrains.co.uk/ Virgin Trains] operate the fastest service from London Euston to Liverpool Lime Street, the journey takes approximately 2.5 hours.

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Travelling [http://www.virgintrains.co.uk/assets/pdf/announcements/offpeak-and-superoffpeak-restrictions-2014.pdf Off-Peak] between 09:27 &rarr; 15:00 and after 18:45 is much cheaper.

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The cheapest [http://www.virgintrains.co.uk/tickets-offers/ticket-types/ tickets type] is Advance booking and can be purchased online up to 12 weeks prior to travel but are limited in availability and only valid for travel on the booked train. Tickets can be collected at the station but you must have the original credit/debit card used when purchasing.

Travelling to Liverpool always requires a change of train at either Stafford [STA] or Crewe [CRE] and the journey time is approximately 3.5 hours.

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=== Eurostar ===

[http://www.eurostar.com/ Eurostar] trains to the UK terminate at London [http://www.networkrail.co.uk/st-pancras-international-station/departures-arrivals/ St. Pancras International] [STP] which is 1km from London Euston where train to Liverpool Lime Street depart.

[http://www.eurostar.com/ Eurostar] trains to the UK terminate at London [http://www.networkrail.co.uk/st-pancras-international-station/departures-arrivals/ St. Pancras International] [STP] which is 1km from London Euston where train to Liverpool Lime Street depart.

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<br>St. Pancras to Euston is a 5 minute walk or via the [https://tfl.gov.uk/cdn/static/cms/documents/standard-tube-map.pdf London Underground] on the <font color="#0583d2"><b>Victoria Line</b></font> or <b>Northern Line</b>.

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<br>St. Pancras to Euston is a [https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/St+Pancras+International,+Euston+Rd,+London+N1C+4QP/Euston+Station,+London/@51.5291041,-0.1366104,16z/data=!4m13!4m12!1m5!1m1!1s0x48761b3b8d98ed25:0xb92d6fcfa832dd12!2m2!1d-0.126133!2d51.531427!1m5!1m1!1s0x48761b244f4bbe9b:0x9e50eedd53eb7ad8!2m2!1d-0.1321318!2d51.5279629 12 minute walk] or via the [https://tfl.gov.uk/cdn/static/cms/documents/standard-tube-map.pdf London Underground] on the <font color="#0583d2"><b>Victoria Line</b></font> or <b>Northern Line</b>.

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[http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/ National Rail Enquiries] is useful for planning rail travel with all UK train companies and for checking on delays or cancellations.

Line 85:

Line 102:

There is no free street parking near the University and metered street parking, marked by blue and red lines, is expensive.

There is no free street parking near the University and metered street parking, marked by blue and red lines, is expensive.

Recommended parking close the venue is [http://liverpool.gov.uk/parking-travel-and-roads/council-car-parks/mount-pleasant/ Mount Pleasant Car Park]. This is

Recommended parking close the venue is [http://liverpool.gov.uk/parking-travel-and-roads/council-car-parks/mount-pleasant/ Mount Pleasant Car Park]. This is

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a multi-story car park, marked <b><font color="red">P</font></b> on the map and is a 5 minute walk from the Gaia venue.

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a multi-story car park, marked <b><font color="red">P</font></b> on the map and is a [https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/38+Mt+Pleasant,+Liverpool,+Merseyside+L3+5TT/Liverpool+Science+Park,+131+Mount+Pleasant,+Liverpool+L3+5TF,+United+Kingdom/@53.4038119,-2.9745677,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m13!4m12!1m5!1m1!1s0x487b2123b1b6c19d:0x7752661a844802db!2m2!1d-2.9745775!2d53.4040468!1m5!1m1!1s0x487b211897cfef0b:0x325828a436916911!2m2!1d-2.9699337!2d53.4036712 5 minute walk] to the Gaia venue.

All day parking costs £4, it is open from 7:00am until 20:00pm Mon-Fri, motorcycles and disabled are free.

All day parking costs £4, it is open from 7:00am until 20:00pm Mon-Fri, motorcycles and disabled are free.

The entrance to the car park is at the lower end of Mount Pleasant, marked by the green dot on bottom of the £4 symbol.

The entrance to the car park is at the lower end of Mount Pleasant, marked by the green dot on bottom of the £4 symbol.

Line 96:

Line 113:

More information about parking in Liverpool is available from [http://en.parkopedia.co.uk/parking/liverpool/ Parkopedia].

More information about parking in Liverpool is available from [http://en.parkopedia.co.uk/parking/liverpool/ Parkopedia].

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<br clear="all">

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=Accommodation=

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A large variety of hotels, hostels and B&Bs are available in Liverpool centre. Below are a selection of hotels that offer a discounted rate for the conference. There are generally 20 rooms reserved per large hotel (unless otherwise stated), most require telephone payments or payment on arrival.

The Days Inn hotel is located near the River Mersey and the Docks area (~5-10 minute walk) and from the city centre (<5 min walk). It is also next to James Street Station which can be directly accessed on the [http://www.merseyrail.org/ Mersey Rail Network] underground trains from Lime Street (a return or single from Lime Street to James Street costs less than £2). It is a ~20 minute walk from this hotel to the conference building. Parking is available nearby but isn’t cheap [http://www.q-park.co.uk/parking/parkingid/582 Q park].

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To book at this hotel please contact them directly and quote GAIA LIVERPOOL to receive this discounted rate. There are 20 rooms reserved at this rate from 9-13 November 2015 and will be available to book exclusively for the conference if booked before the end of September. After that the prices may be subject to change or rooms unavailable.

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Guests are able to book by calling 0151 203 1910 (option 1) Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm or can email here reservations@daysinnliverpool.com.

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<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;£50 per night single occupancy (with Breakfast)

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<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;£60 per night double/twin occupancy (with Breakfast)

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[http://www.feathers.uk.com/feathers-hotel/ BEST WESTERN Feathers Liverpool Hotel]

The Feathers hotel is very close to the conference venue (~1 minute away). It is ~15 minute walk from Liverpool Lime Street station and from the centre of Liverpool. Parking for this hotel is in the [http://liverpool.gov.uk/parking-travel-and-roads/council-car-parks/mount-pleasant/ Mount Pleasant Car Park] priced at £4 per day (see Transport Section).

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To book at this hotel please contact them directly and quote GAIA LIVERPOOL to receive this discounted rate. There are approximately 20 rooms being held for the conference.

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<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;Double for single occupancy: £69.95 (inc. breakfast and WiFi)

The Aachen Hotel is a small hotel on the same street as the conference venue (~5 min walk). There are no rooms reserved due to the size of the hotel but if you quote GAIA LIVERPOOL you can receive the discounted rate. Parking for this hotel is in the [http://liverpool.gov.uk/parking-travel-and-roads/council-car-parks/mount-pleasant/ Mount Pleasant Car Park] priced at £4 per day (see Transport Section).

The Adagio Aparthotel is next to Liverpool Central Station (accessible via the Wirral line, one stop from Liverpool Lime street station). It is ~15 minute walk from here to the conference venue and the hotel is right in the middle of the city centre. Please contact the hotel directly via the email address above to book at these rates and quote GAIA LIVERPOOL.

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<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;Studio apartment for sole occupancy - £65 B&B

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<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;Studio apartment for double occupancy - £75 B&B

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There are both studio apartments with double and twin beds (limited number of twins).

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=Visitor Information=

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There will be a public lecture, [http://www.astro.ljmu.ac.uk/newsitem-20120315 First Light], given by Prof. James Dunlop on Tuesday 10th November 2015 at 18:00.

LPL - Liverpool John Lennon Airport

Although there is no rail link at the airport there are frequent bus services to Liverpool South Parkway railway station, which is 10km from the city centre.
Liverpool South Parkway is a double railway station providing two separate rail routes into Liverpool Lime Street or Liverpool Central stations, which are in the city centre.

After 9:30am a SaveAway combined bus+train ticket can be purchased at the Information Desk on the lower level of the airport.
A SaveAway ticket including Zones A,B,C & D is suitable for a single journey to destinations in the city of Liverpool and costs £3.90.

The Arriva bus services from the airport direct to Liverpool are 500, 80A, and 86A, click on numbers to view routes and stops. These buses terminate at the Liverpool One bus station.
Services 80A and 86A go via Liverpool South Parkway railway station if you wish to travel into Liverpool city by train.
The journey time into Liverpool by bus/train is approximately 25-45 minutes.

A taxi to Liverpool city centre costs around £15.00 - £20.00 and takes approximately 20 minutes.

MAN - Manchester Airport

This airport is larger than Liverpool's so a greater number of airlines fly to this destination.

The rail link at this airport is Manchester Airport [MIA] station. Trains operated by Northern Rail go direct to Liverpool Lime Street station every hour. Timetable.
The journey time is approximately 1 hour.

An alternative train route is from the airport station to Manchester Piccadilly [MAN] station and change there for trains to Liverpool Lime Street [LIV].
Several train companies operate this alternative route. The journey time is approximately 1.5 hours.
Refer to National Rail Enquiries for train times. You can enter the three letter abbreviated [TLA] railway station IDs as shown.

A taxi from Manchester airport to Liverpool city centre costs around £60. Journey is normally about 1 hour but will be longer if travelling during the rush hour.

In Liverpool

Liverpool Central [LVC] station located in the city and is a local commuter destination for Merseyrail trains.

Liverpool South Parkway [LPY] station is located 10km from the city and 4.5km from Liverpool John Lennon Airport.

The railway system local to Liverpool is operated by Merseyrail.
The stations in and around the city can be view on this map.

From London

Trains to Liverpool Lime Street leave from London Euston [EUS].
There are a few trains direct but most require changing at Crewe [CRE] station.

Virgin Trains operate the fastest service from London Euston to Liverpool Lime Street, the journey takes approximately 2.5 hours.
Travelling Off-Peak between 09:27 → 15:00 and after 18:45 is much cheaper.
The cheapest tickets type is Advance booking and can be purchased online up to 12 weeks prior to travel but are limited in availability and only valid for travel on the booked train. Tickets can be collected at the station but you must have the original credit/debit card used when purchasing.

London Midland Trains operate a slower but cheaper train service.
Travelling to Liverpool always requires a change of train at either Stafford [STA] or Crewe [CRE] and the journey time is approximately 3.5 hours.

Bus Travel

Car Parking

There is no free street parking near the University and metered street parking, marked by blue and red lines, is expensive.
Recommended parking close the venue is Mount Pleasant Car Park. This is
a multi-story car park, marked P on the map and is a 5 minute walk to the Gaia venue.
All day parking costs £4, it is open from 7:00am until 20:00pm Mon-Fri, motorcycles and disabled are free.
The entrance to the car park is at the lower end of Mount Pleasant, marked by the green dot on bottom of the £4 symbol.
The car park has a one way system and the exit is onto Brownlow Hill.

More information about parking in Liverpool is available from Parkopedia.

Accommodation

A large variety of hotels, hostels and B&Bs are available in Liverpool centre. Below are a selection of hotels that offer a discounted rate for the conference. There are generally 20 rooms reserved per large hotel (unless otherwise stated), most require telephone payments or payment on arrival.

The Days Inn hotel is located near the River Mersey and the Docks area (~5-10 minute walk) and from the city centre (<5 min walk). It is also next to James Street Station which can be directly accessed on the Mersey Rail Network underground trains from Lime Street (a return or single from Lime Street to James Street costs less than £2). It is a ~20 minute walk from this hotel to the conference building. Parking is available nearby but isn’t cheap Q park.

To book at this hotel please contact them directly and quote GAIA LIVERPOOL to receive this discounted rate. There are 20 rooms reserved at this rate from 9-13 November 2015 and will be available to book exclusively for the conference if booked before the end of September. After that the prices may be subject to change or rooms unavailable.

Guests are able to book by calling 0151 203 1910 (option 1) Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm or can email here reservations@daysinnliverpool.com.
£50 per night single occupancy (with Breakfast)
£60 per night double/twin occupancy (with Breakfast)

The Feathers hotel is very close to the conference venue (~1 minute away). It is ~15 minute walk from Liverpool Lime Street station and from the centre of Liverpool. Parking for this hotel is in the Mount Pleasant Car Park priced at £4 per day (see Transport Section).

To book at this hotel please contact them directly and quote GAIA LIVERPOOL to receive this discounted rate. There are approximately 20 rooms being held for the conference.
Double for single occupancy: £69.95 (inc. breakfast and WiFi)
Double for double occupancy: £79.95 (inc. breakfast and WiFi)
Exec double for sole occupancy £84.95 (inc. breakfast and WiFi)
Exec double for double occupancy £89.95 (inc. breakfast and WiFi)

The Aachen Hotel is a small hotel on the same street as the conference venue (~5 min walk). There are no rooms reserved due to the size of the hotel but if you quote GAIA LIVERPOOL you can receive the discounted rate. Parking for this hotel is in the Mount Pleasant Car Park priced at £4 per day (see Transport Section).
£59 for a twin/double room

The Adagio Aparthotel is next to Liverpool Central Station (accessible via the Wirral line, one stop from Liverpool Lime street station). It is ~15 minute walk from here to the conference venue and the hotel is right in the middle of the city centre. Please contact the hotel directly via the email address above to book at these rates and quote GAIA LIVERPOOL.
Studio apartment for sole occupancy - £65 B&B
Studio apartment for double occupancy - £75 B&B

There are both studio apartments with double and twin beds (limited number of twins).